Tuesday, November 6, 2012

New Cold Frame

Plants in the very crowded greenhouse. Everybody needs a little breathing room.

Assembling the frame for the new cold frame.

What do you do when you run out of every available space in the pretty petite greenhouse, fully stocked, in the backyard? Why, you build a ten foot by ten foot cold frame, of course! It's a place to help keep my happy place (a.k.a. the overflowing greenhouse) well--happy.

Placement of the cold frame is out in the back of the property, close to a water spigot. Just because it's winter doesn't mean that plants, especially in cold frames, don't need an occasional drink of water.

The plastic covering being positioned over the frame.

As the lavender cuttings root well enough to transfer from peat plugs under grow lights and close to sunny windows in the house, to 3 inch pots and spend a little time hardening off in the greenhouse, they can now go out and live happily in the cold frame, along with any other cold loving perennial that is spending this winter not firmly planted in the ground. We covered the ground with a nice soft bed of pine needles for all of these little lavender lovelies to nestle down into and stay cozy and warm. Soon, this cold frame will be much fuller as the days and weeks pass.

Placing plants out in the 10 ft. by 10 ft. frame that can be raised on warm days. Don't worry-- a lot more lavender plants will be going in and filling up the space.

A floor of pine needles keeps everything dry and snug.

Ready for winter 2012!

That's what we did over this past weekend as we buttoned the gardens up and prepared for a much colder winter than it was last year. At least, that is what the weathermen and the Farmer's Almanac are predicting for the Mid-Atlantic Area. We will be ready!

Take Home a Piece of Virginia!

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The Blooming Hill Garden Shop

Our GPS/MapQuest address is 19929 Telegraph Springs Road Purcellville, VA 20132. We are located in Philomont just off of historic Snickersville Turnpike. Our shop is open Fridays and Saturdays 10am until 5pm and other days by appointment or request. We hope to see you soon!

Blooming Hill Events and Happenings

Saturday, August 5 - Private wedding shower tea party here at Blooming Hill. Blooming Hill Shop and grounds will be open to the public.

Saturday, August 12 - Private evening wedding here at Blooming Hill(5pm until 9pm). Blooming Hill shop and grounds will be open until 3pm.

Saturday, August 26 - Private Baby Shower Event here at the farmlet. The shop and grounds are open to the public. 10am until 5 pm

Monday, August 28 - Market Street Writer's Workshop and Tea, 10 am until 12 noon, here at the farmlet. Open to the public. Contact Lisa Coburn at www.marketstreetwriters.com for cost and information.

Tuesday, September 12 - Loudoun County Weaver's and Textiles Group here at the farmlet for tea. 12 noon.

Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17 - Visit Blooming Hill's Booth at The Bluemont Fair. Blooming Hill Shop and Grounds are open in Philomont, too.

Saturday, September 23 - United States Lavender Growers Association South Atlantic Region #12 Gathering here at the Farmlet, 10am until 3pm. The shop and grounds are open to the public, 10am until 5pm.

Saturday, September 23 - United State Lavender Growers Association South Atlantic Region 12 Meeting here at Blooming Hill. The Blooming Hill Shop and grounds are open, to the public too.

Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21 - Loudoun County Fall Farm and Color Tour. Visit the farmlet for tea and scones. $15/person. No reservations necessary. Rain or shine.

Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2 - Holiday Greens Workshop and Tea, here at the farmlet. More details to follow.

Stay tuned...There's always more to see and do at Blooming Hill!

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HSA Potomac Unit Member

Lavender Sparkling Wine with lavender chocolates.

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Living the rural life!

A little bit about me

It started innocently enough. After a rewarding career in retail management in the Washington, D.C. area, I've been growing and selling lavender for over 20 years here in the rolling, green foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge in Western Loudoun County of Northern Virginia. Through the years, I have collected more than 90 different varieties of this beautiful plant and, along with my landscape architect husband, Peter, I welcome garden clubs, groups, guests and visitors to Blooming Hill from April through December. Our son, Kevin, now graduated from college, and on his way to medical school, often stops by to help out around the place and our loving and loyal black lab, Tucker, is always at the ready to welcome you. I love this little piece of paradise we call home and business and I love to share my experiences in gardening and living life among the flora and fauna of a tiny rural hamlet. Aside from gardening and growing lavender, I love to go antiquing, and you can often find me on the golf course trying to conquer the game. It's never a dull moment in my life. Besides, there is never any time to waste on dull moments!